Device having plural ornamental positions

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a device, such as a ring, fastener, or the like, comprising a bodily flexible support having plural ornamental positions whereby the same device may be used to create different effects.

United States Patent [1 1 [111 3,805,549 Nielsen Apr. 23, 1974 [54] DEVICE HAVING PLURAL ORNAMENTAL 1,684,670 9/1928 Habib 2/195 POSITIONS 3,179,954 4/1965 Weitzner 3,510,880 5/1970 [76] Inventor: Betty C. Nielsen, 217 Richard, 190 24 5 1377 Corpus Christi, Tex. 78403 1,103,422 7/1914 [22] Filed: Jan. 3, 1972 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 2 APPL 214 37 481,616 3/1938 Great Britain 2/68 Primary Examine r-F. Barry Shay [52] US. Cl 63/31, 63/15, 63/29 R, Attorney, Agent, or Turner Monet 161/7, 161/16 [51] Int. Cl A44c 17/02 58 Field of Search 63/31; 161/7, 32; 2/171, [571 ABSTRACT 2/185 R, 195, 196, 209.1, 68, DIG, 2 .There is disclosed a device, such as a ring, fastener, or the like, comprising a bodily flexible support having [56] References Cited plural ornamental positions whereby the same device UNITED STATES PATENTS maybe used to create different effects. 1,046,478

12/1912 McDevitt 2/195 3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 1 DEVICE HAVING PLURAL ORNAMENTAL POSITIONS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The provision of jewelry having alternate or plural ornamental positions is known in the prior art and is exemplified by the disclosures in US. Pat. Nos. 1,286,691; 1,792,534; 3,081,997 and 3,365,877. Other devices having plural ornamental positions are disclosed in US. Pat. Nos. l90,248 and 503,387. A perusal of these disclosures will reveal that the plural ornamental positions are achieved by the provision of relatively rigid parts which are hinged or otherwise made movable with respect to each other. The manufacture of such devices is relatively time consuming and therefore expensive since the different parts must be connected together. In contrast, the device of this invention comprises a bodily flexible support which is movable between first and second ornamental positions.

In the prior art, there is generally required an additional provision to retain the relatively rigid movable portions in the different ornamental positions. In this device, the bodily flexible support not only may be moved between plural ornamental positions, but the bodily flexible support itself provides means for retaining the support in the plural positions.

SUMMARY or THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a device having plural ornamental positions which is of exceptional simplicity.

Another object of this invention is to provide a de vice, such as jewelry, fasteners or the like, having plural ornamental positions whereby different effects may be achieved by manipulation of the device into the different positions.

Another object of the inventionis to provide a device having plural ornamental positions comprising a bodily flexible support movable between the ornamental positions and incorporating therein means to 'retain'the support in the different positions.

'In summary, the device of this invention comprises a bodily flexible support having first and second sides movable between a first generally concave ornamental position presenting the first side and a second ornamental position presenting the second side, the support having an inherent memory for retaining the support in the first and second positions; first and second ornamentation means on the first and second sides of the support; and means for connecting the support to an object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 5 is a view of the same device of FIG. 4, in a second ornamental position, indicating that the device may be utilized as a ring;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view, partially in section, illustrating another embodiment of the invention in one of its ornamental positions; and

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 illustrated in another ornamental position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there is illustrated a device 10 having plural ornamental positions as shown best in a comparison of FIGS. 2 and 3. The device 10 comprises, as major components, a bodily flexible support 12, first ornamentation means 14 exposed in the position of FIGS. 1 ando3, second ornamentation means 16 exposed in the second ornamental position of FIG. 2 and means 18 for connecting the support 12 to an object for use in a particularenvironment.

The bodily flexible support 12 comprises an important part of this invention and has two major functions. The first function is to allow or accommodate movement of the device 10 between the plural ornamental positions. The second function is to retain the device 10 in each of the positions. The support 12 is illustrated as a generally hemispherical shell'which is capa- FIG. 1 is an isometric or pictorial view of one em- 7 ble of being turned inside out. The shell comprises an outside surface 20 exposed in FIGS. 1 and 2 and an inside surface 22 exposed in FIG. 3. It will be readily apparent that the hemispherical configuration of the support 12 provides an inherent memory and assures that the support 12 will remain in either of the positions illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 without the provision of separate means for holding the support 12 in place.

The ornamentation means 14, 16 are desirably different to provide different effects. It will be apparent that the outside and inside surfaces 20, 22 of the flexible support 12 may be of differentcolor in order to be compatible with the ornamentation means l4, 16, respectively.

The ornamentation means l4, 16 are conveniently attached together to the support 12 which incorporates a plurality of openings for this purpose. A strand or thread 24 extends through each of the openings and carries a spangle or colored plastic chip 26 on both sides of the support 12. One or more beads 28, 30 are strung, on both sides of the support 12, on each thread 24 which is tied off at both ends to captivate the ornamentation means 14, 16 on the support 12. Desirably the beads 28, 30 differ in color, configuration or in some other ornamental characteristic. It will be apparent that the spangles 26 not only provide an ornamental function but also operate as a washer to prevent the beads 28, 30 from passing through the opening in the support 12.

The connecting means 18 is illustrated as comprising a finger band 30 passing through diametrically opposite openings in the support 12 and captivated by beads 32 strung on the finger band 30 and knots 34 at the terminal ends of the finger band 30.

To change the device or ring 10 from one ornamental position to the other, it is necessary only to turn the flexible support 12 inside out. It will be readily apparent that the ornamentation means 14, 16 may be quite different to provide quite different effects.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is illustrated a device 36, comprising another embodiment of the invention, having plural ornamental positions. The device 36 comprises, as major components, a bodily flexible support 38 movable between first and second ornamental positions illustrated in FIGS. 4 and respectively, first ornamentation means 40 visible primarily in the first ornamental positions shown in FIG. 4, second ornamentation means 42 visible primarily in the second ornamental position illustrated in FIG. 5 and means 44 for connecting the bodily flexible support 38 to an object.

The support 38 includes a bodily flexible generally cup-shaped shell 46 comprising part of a generally spherical body and a petal forming section 48 nested in the shell 46 in the configuration of FIG. 4. The shell 46 and the section 48 are connected together by the connecting means 44 but primarily by part of the ornamentation means 40, 42 as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

The shell 46 includes first and second sides or surfaces 50, 52. The shell 46 is somewhat similar to the support 12 in that the partially spherical shape thereof will retain the shell 46 in the position of FIG. 4, where the side 50 is concave, or in the position of FIG. 5, where the side 50 is convex.

The petal forming section 48 includes a central section and a plurality of arms extending therefrom has an inherent tendency to remain in either the collapsed position of FIG. 4 or the open position of FIG. 5. The shell 46 assists the petal forming section 48 to remain in the collapsed position of FIG. 4 while part of the ornamentation means 40, 42 assists the petal forming section 48 to remain in the open position of FIG. 5 as will be more fully apparent hereinafter. In the configuration of FIG. 4 a first surface of both the central section and the arms of the petal forming section 48 is concave while in the configuration of FIG. 5 the same surface of the central section is convex. This surface of the arms, however, remains concave in the FIG. 5 configuration. The outer ends of adjacent ones of the arms of the petal forming section 48 are closely spaced in the closed configuration of FIG. 4 and more widely spaced relative to one another in the open configuration of FIG. 5. The shell 46 is in generally close contact with the second surface of the central section of the petal forming section 48 and the surface of the shell adjacent the section 48 is concave in the FIG. 4 configuration and convex in the FIG. 5 configuration.

The device 36 differs from the device in that the major difference in ornamental appearance depends on the configuration of the support 36 rather than a difference in the ornamentation means 40, 42. Indeed, part of the ornamentation means 42 may be visible in the collapsed position of FIG. 4. Accordingly, the elements comprising the ornamentation means 40, 42 may be compatible rather than substantially different as in the device 10.

The ornamentation means 40, 42 may be captivated to the support 38 in much the same manner as the ornamentation means l4, 16 are captivated to the support 12. To this end, the petal forming section 48 includes a first set of openings accommodating a first set of strands or threads 54 passing therethrough. The shell 46 includes a plurality of openings registering with a second series of openings in the petal forming section 48 for accommodating a second set of strands or threads 56. A spangle or colored plastic chip 58 is carried on each side 50, 52 of the support 38 on each of the threads 54, 56. One or more beads 60, 62 are positioned on the threads 54, 56 on the inside and outside 50, 52, respectively of the support 38. The threads 54, 56 are knotted at the terminal ends thereof to captivate the beads 60, 62 and the spangles 58 to the support 38.

To move the support 38 from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 5, the shell 46 is merely turned inside out. Since the shell is basically part of a sphere, it tends to remain in the configuration of FIG. 5. The petal forming section 48 tends to assume the open position shown in FIG. 5 and is assisted toward this position by the ornamentation means 40, 42 comprising the threads 52 since the threads 56 extend through the shell 46 and the section 48.

The connecting means 44 illustrated in FIG. 4 adapts the device 38 for use as a fastener or button. The connecting means 44 comprises a shank 64 passing through aligned openings in the shell 46 and section 48. An enlarged head 66 prevents inadvertent removal of the shank 64 from the device 36. The shank 64 may be passed through a button hole or otherwise through a fabric 68. A keeper 70 cooperates with the other end of the shank 64 for retaining the device 36 in place.

The connecting means 72 shown' in FIG. 5 illustrates that the device 36 may be utilized as a ring rather than a fastener. The connecting means 72 includes a finger band 74 having a shank 76 thereon incorporating an enlarged head 78 which may be passed through the aligned openings in the shell 46 and section 48. It will be apparent that the enlarged head 78 is preferably compatible with the beads 60 to provide a pleasing appearance.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is illustrated another device 80, comprising another embodiment of the invention, having plural ornamental positions. The device 80 comprises, as major components, a bodily flexible support 82 movable between a first ornamental configuration shown in FIG. 6 to a second ornamental configuration shown in FIG. 7, first ornamentation means 84 on the outside of the support 82, second ornamentation means 86 on the inside of the support 82 and means (not shown) for connecting the support 82 to an object.

The support 82 is somewhat similar to the petal forming section 48 and comprises a bodily flexible generally spherical member which has been cut to provide a plurality of petals 88. Because of its original generally closed configuration, the support 82 has an inherent memory to retain itself in the collapsed position shown in FIG. 6. When the support 82 is opened, a central portion thereof is elevated with respect to an intermediate portion 92 of the petals 88 thereby retaining the support 82 in the open position of FIG. 7. As in the previously described embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, a first surface of the central portion 90 and of the petals 88 is concave in the closed position, that of FIG. 6, and this surface of the central portion 90 is convex while the same surface of the petals 88 remains concave in the open configuration of FIG. 7. The outer ends of adjacent ones of the petals 88 are more closely spaced in the closed configuration than in the open configuration. It will be evident that the resilience and configuration of the support 78 retains itself in the open position of FIG. 7.

a The ornamentation means 84, 86 are preferably compatible since the ornamentation means 84 is visible in the open position of FIG. 7 and the ornamentation means 86 may, depending on the size thereof, be visible in the closed position as is illustrated in FIG. 6. The device 80 is similar to the device 36 in that the change in appearance is more a function of the configuration of the support 82 than in the difference between the ornamentation means 84, 86. The ornamentation means 84, 86 are preferably captivated to the support 82 in the same manner that the ornamentation means 14, 16 are captivated to the support 12.

Centrally located in the portion 90 of the support 82 is an opening 94 for receiving a headed shank of a connector for attaching the support 82 to an object. As will be apparent from FIGS. 4 and 5, the device 80 may be used as a ring or fastener. It will be apparent that the devices of this invention have application in other areas, for example ornaments for clothing, Christmas decorations, earrings, and the like. will also be apparent that the inherent memory of the bodily flexible support will retain itself in either of the ornamental positions regardless of the orientation of the device.

I claim:

1. A device having plural ornamental positions comprising: a bodily flexible support having first and sec- 0nd sides movable between a first ornamental position presenting the first side and a second ornamental position presenting the second side, the support having inherent means for retaining the support in the first or second position, the support comprising a unitary member having a central section and at least three arms extending away therefrom, the first side of the central section and arms being concave in the first position with the ends of adjacent arms being spaced from each other a first distance, the first side of the central section being convex and the first side of the arms being concave in the second position with the ends of adjacent arms being spaced from each other a second distance greater than the first distance; first and second ornamentation means on the first and second sides of the support; and means for connecting the support to an object.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the arms comprise generally elongate tapered members.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the support further comprises a generally cup-shaped shell in surrounding relation to the second'side of the central section, the shell being connected to the support for'movement corresponding to that of the central section. 

1. A device having plural ornamental positions comprising: a bodily flexible support having first and second sides movable between a first ornamental position presenting the first side and a second ornamental position presenting the second side, the support having inherent means for retaining the support in the first or second position, the support comprising a unitary member having a central section and at least three arms extending away therefrom, the first side of the central section and arms being concave in the first position with the ends of adjacent arms being spaced from each other a first distance, the first side of the central section being convex and the first side of the arms being concave in the second position wIth the ends of adjacent arms being spaced from each other a second distance greater than the first distance; first and second ornamentation means on the first and second sides of the support; and means for connecting the support to an object.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the arms comprise generally elongate tapered members.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the support further comprises a generally cup-shaped shell in surrounding relation to the second side of the central section, the shell being connected to the support for movement corresponding to that of the central section. 